Bette Keehley wins another term as Oakland mayor

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Keehley received 64 percent of the vote to Waller’s 36 percent, according to election results late Tuesday.

“Now all of the things we’ve started, we can go ahead and do,” Keehley said.

Waller, 44, said that he should have campaigned more.

A political newcomer, Waller served in the Persian Gulf War. He said he ran because he thought city officials were mismanaging funds, leading to high water rates.

Keehley, 62, said she agrees water rates are too high. She said she will work to lower costs in her new term.

Keehley unseated Mayor Nanci Staples in 2008 by 16 percentage points. She squeaked by Monte Muirhead in 2010. She has served in elected office since 2007, when she joined the City Council. She moved to the area in 2005 from Sacramento.

She said she believes voters re-elected her because she has a good record over the past four years as mayor. She said people can tell she enjoys living in Oakland and cares about the future of the city.

“I appreciate everybody having faith in me,” she said. “It’s great when the public has faith in their elected officials.”